First time horse owner : should I change barn?

[Azenor]

I’ve been riding since 2019 and bought my first horse just over a year ago with guidance from my trainer. When my horse arrived, he was overweight and out of shape. I wanted to focus solely on groundwork initially, but my trainer insisted we start riding him right away. While he lost weight and started moving a bit better, he still dramatically lacked topline and hindleg muscle nine months later, so I called the vet to see what was going on.

The vet diagnosed superficial ligament tears in both hindlegs via ultrasound, and a fetlock drop. Rehabilitation will take 6–12 months, and there’s a small chance he might not be rideable again because of the fetlock. Not the result I expected, to say the least.

My trainer is truly great, with soft methods that align with my values (and there are not a lot of those around me), but as my horse’s situation has evolved I’ve started wondering if his needs would be better met elsewhere, at least during his recovery.

The barn I’m considering offers:

• Outdoor board (stall may be rented, but no service comes with it).
• Smaller but regularly cleaned paddocks with only 2-4 horses per group, and firmer ground.
• Truly unlimited hay, under a hay net.
• An indoor arena, which would help me stay consistent with 5-6x/week rehab exercices (we’re in Canada; outdoor ring was unusable at least half the time last Winter, if not more).
• Lower cost ($470–500 vs. $625).
• Closer to home (20-minute drive vs. 30).
• No trainer, but a good friend who has 15+ years of experience agreed to help us if/when needed.

While I value my trainer’s expertise, I’m struggling with some of his practices: (trainer is also the barn manager, and he doesn’t have employee, so he’s responsible for everything)

• Hay is supposed to be unlimited, but horses only gets 2 flakes while stalled from 4pm to 8am, so they spend around 8-10 hours without food.
• Paddocks have only one feeding point for 6–7 horses, which causes a bit of conflict daily (new scratches on lower ranking horse most days).
• Paddocks are rarely picked : he prepared them for Winter last week, and we already have mud/manure up to the ankle near the feeding area/door.
• Medication have been forgotten despite agreements to administer them.
• Feeding and turnout schedules are somewhat inconsistent, delayed by lessons, training and personal trail rides.
• “Good enough” and “Mostly OK” is just fine to him, so my efforts to do the very best I can for my horse are often belittled

Could moving to a barn that looks like it would better support my horse’s recovery be the right choice?

I’m torn because I value my trainer and don’t want to damage our relationship or come across as ungrateful for everything they’ve done. I’m also unsure how to approach the conversation in a way that’s respectful and minimizes any hard feelings.

Thank you in advance for any advice

[Calvincrowe]

I guess I’d want know how or why the horse was injured. Was it due to turn out, care, overuse, accident?? And if you are staring at rehab, I’d move for sure. Consistency is key to success during rehab. If you’re doing it, closer, better care, definitely better.

[Highflyer1]

The new place sounds great. What is the vet’s recommendation for rehab? He doesn’t need stall rest?

[Azenor]

I would like to know too, but I did not get a clear answer from the vet : they just said micro tears. It probably wasn’t accident or care, my guess is stress from too much/too fast. I’ll ask again on Monday on the follow-up appointment.

I did move my horse to a rehabilitation centre temporarily, so he gets rehab 6x a week at the moment, and the therapist is in contact with the vet, so they adjust his program weekly.

Once I get him back, I’ll have a program/explanation to continue his rehabilitation at home

[Azenor]

Because its a long recovery time and its “only” micro tears, vet prescribed smallest paddock turnout I could provide, to avoid making everybody nuts.

I’ve sent him to a rehabilitation Center which is in direct contact with the vet and was better equipped to handle the paddock situation; they adjust his program weekly based on vet’s recommendations. We’re at 25-30 minutes of walk now, with turn out in a medium-sized paddock. They are working on his posture/stability and correct use of hinglegs, so walking over poles, backing between them, etc.

All exercises are done from the ground : there will be no riding for 6-12 months.

[OverandOnward]

Something to keep in mind about the relationship to a trainer or other paid professional, including barn owners / managers. Often to the payor (you), this seems like a more intense relationship than it really is. It’s easy to forget that although you have only one trainer at a time, the trainer has many clients. The individual clients are frequently not as special to the trainer, as the trainer is to them. If a client leaves, another will come along. That is part of being in the business.

[OverandOnward]

Just my point of view – If I had this situation on my hands, I would look at it as several separate situations to evaluate. I wouldn’t see it all as one package because that becomes very complicated.

First is the current board barn, separate from the trainer. From your description, I don’t know why you board at such a substandard, untrustworthy place. I would consider that in terms of horse welfare, not so much tied to the trainer unless they are the ones providing the care. In any case, horse welfare is the first consideration above all else.

You refer to the current barn management as “they” – who is “they”? Your trainer? Other helpers? A separate group? Is the barn management somehow wrapped up with the trainer, or are they separate entities?

Second is your horse’s health condition(s). I’m not sure if your trainer is part of this portion of your evaluation. In any case, diagnosis and treatment are between you and your vet. Your trainer may have past experience to share. Often trainers participate and advise on the rehab. But the vet makes the final decisions on treatment.

If the trainer is pressuring you to do other than as the vet advises, time to find a new trainer. I’m not clear if you are alluding to that. Hope not.

Third is the trainer’s program. You don’t give details, and you don’t need to do that, but it sounds as if overall you like the trainer’s program. However something about it is causing you concerns in the context of your horse’s health issues. I put horse welfare / health above a trainer’s feelings. If that’s a reason to move on, that can be done politely without raking over these issues. “I so appreciate my time working with you. But at this point Dobbin is going to need another environment, so I’m making a move. I look forward to seeing you around at the [horse shows] [community trail rides] [etc.] in a few months!”

Anyway, for starters, I would separately consider (1) Board barn = horse welfare; (2) Health conditions = vet; (3) Trainer’s program, and any influence on the above two items.

I would not allow myself to be paralyzed by consideration of the trainer’s hurt feelings, if I don’t stay there for life. The trainer is not reciprocating this level of feeling because it’s a business, and because they have multiple clients that change periodically. Also this is a pressured and not always rational way to consider the issue. Putting the horse first, all that is needed are the considerate (and brief) words that will to pave the way out of the situation, and on to the next stop.

As you continue to work through these issues, there may be other considerations as well that you want to itemize on your decision list. If it helps you better define the issues and make a decision.

[Azenor]

The trainer/barn manager is the same person, sorry for the confusion. And I agree that the care is not up to what I wanted, but I had seen worst and I used to believe trainer put horses welfare above all else. I’m discovering it’s more like his own view of horse welfare, not science backed horse welfare.

Trainer isn’t proposing to go against vet treatment plan, but could not accomodate a smaller paddock, so I went with vet suggestion that I send horse to a rehab center for a couple of weeks/month, to start the rehab in the best condition possible.

His program is kind of amazing; I could possibly continue taking lessons with his personal horses even if I move barn.

Thank you so much for the perspective, I had not thought of splitting the issue to look at them individually =)

[anonevent]

You sound like an excellent owner. Good on you for putting so much care and thought into his wellbeing.

[endlessclimb]

For rehab (and generally, otherwise…) barn 2 for sure. Could you haul in for lessons with the trainer, when horse is able?

[fivestrideline]

It sounds like your current trainer’s place doesn’t have an indoor? If so, there’s your out. Also, it sounds like your horse is currently at the rehab farm? That’s good - that makes this easier!

“Hey Trainer, vet says that my horse needs 3-6 months of PT after he comes back from the rehab barn. I’ve decided to bring him to a friend’s place that’s set up for his needs, is closer, and has an indoor. If we are cleared for riding work after all this I hope you’ll have a spot in your program for us! I’ll definitely be in touch. Thank you so much for all the support and encouragement you’ve provided along the way.”

Hopefully you’ve already cleared out all your possessions at Trainer’s, but if not, I’d send the message and go get your stuff (or go get your stuff and then send the message, if you’re expecting conflict).

I would not board at Trainer’s barn if I could help it. This happens a lot - client clicks well with the ridden program, lesson horses or leases seem alright, client notices little things but “that’s the way it’s done”. Then the client buys their own horse and gets more educated/invested in the day-to-day, and it becomes obvious that the care is substandard. Client moves on. It’s okay, and it shows that you’re a good owner that you’re making decisions based on horse welfare before rider enjoyment.

[Posting_Trot]

Yes, I’d echo what others have said. Definitely move the horse once he leaves the rehab barn. In fact, I would take him straight to the new barn, partly just to relieve the stress on the horse of moving barns multiple times. The list of positives for the new barn seem pretty conclusive. The lack of a pro to teach you won’t be an issue while you’re doing rehab work and probably for some period after as you leg the horse up for riding.

Once you’re ready for undersaddle training/lessons, you can re-evaluate your options.

You might consider (if your budget will stand it) taking riding lessons at a barn on a lesson horse, just to keep yourself in shape and to advance your own skills.

Good luck!

[fivestrideline]

Also, not for nothing, but compromised bilateral suspensory issues + dropped fetlocks sounds like DSLD? Is that what your horse was diagnosed with?

If DSLD is suspected, I would not count on this horse being rideable - not for much of a workload and not for long, if at all. Move him somewhere he can be happy and well cared for in the event that he needs to be retired.

[2DogsFarm]

@Azenor

His program is kind of amazing; I could possibly continue taking lessons with his personal horses even if I move barn.

There’s your answer.
Move your horse for the sake of future potential soundness.
Stick with the trainer for your training as a rider.
But if he refuses to take you on as a non-boarding client, realize there are other trainers & as @OverandOnward says: you weren’t trainer’s #1 priority .

[pluvinel]

@Azenor

Hay is supposed to be unlimited, but horses only gets 2 flakes while stalled from 4pm to 8am,

@Azenor

Paddocks have only one feeding point for 6–7 horses, which causes a bit of conflict daily

@Azenor

Paddocks are rarely picked

@Azenor

Medication have been forgotten despite agreements to administer them.

And finally…

@Azenor

“Good enough” and “Mostly OK” is just fine to him, so my efforts to do the very best I can for my horse are often belittled

You ask

@Azenor

Could moving to a barn that looks like it would better support my horse’s recovery be the right choice?

Absolutely!!! The points above should provide an answer.

@Azenor

I’m torn because I value my trainer and don’t want to damage our relationship or come across as ungrateful for everything they’ve done. I’m also unsure how to approach the conversation in a way that’s respectful and minimizes any hard feelings.

Hiring a trainer to help you with your horse is a professional relationship. It is not a marriage. The fact that medications were forgotten is a biggie. The fact that a “trainer” belittles a student’s efforts is unacceptable.

As far as “approaching a conversation that is respectful…” that is part of being a professional on your side. You have a perfect situation to exit. The horse is away in rehab, so not boarded. The horse just won’t come back.

You have winter coming and can easily use that to say that the new barn is closer (for winter travel) and has an indoor so the horse’s rehab can continue.

If he gets his nose bent out of shape…that is NOT your problem.

[LCDR]

If you care about your horse, and you do, then move. There is no cabal of trainers who meet secretly to trash talk about clients who have left them and plot intimidation and revenge. Put on your big girl breeches and do what is best for you and your horse.

[Azenor]

No, he’s diagnosed with micro tears in both ligaments, DSLD is not a contender yet. The vet was just alarmed by “how low” the fetlock went “at such a young age”.
She said it touched the ground even at walk, but it clearly does not.

Its mostly one hind fetlock, and there is no lameness, no heat, no swelling, etc. I’ve seen pictures of my horse dating back 2-3 years; it’s looks the same, not worse.

The physical therapist said she sees it often with hypermobile horse: they don’t use their muscle correctly and just take advantage of their hypermobility to move around.
She said his ligaments could just be naturally more stretched, without it being an issue for him per say (English isn’t my first language; she said something along those lines)

Which is why he’s getting therapy : let’s get him in the best shape of his life (muscle tonus, posture and biomechanics), and see what happens. We will be able to rule out more stuff once we know if his issues are from a poor muscle tone/posture or not =)

[Azenor]

All true : I never considered I may need to move barn when I bought my horse. I just assume I’d always be at the barn my trainer was at.
I had not even looked into what my other options could be or if I had any if needed. And because it’s my first horse, I have a small fear of making a mistake or misjudging something.

Thanks

[Azenor]

I was thinking on moving him directly to the new one; it’s a bit closer and I’d rather not make multiples trips in a short span : it’s stressing us both, and expansive ^^’

I may try to continue lessons with current trainer, or take a small break from riding and just work on my overall physical shape now that I’ve invested so much on my horse’s

Thanks for the input

[Azenor]

Reading your post it seems so obvious

I think I needed to have confirmation that those are not standard or Ok level of care. I am known to strive for as close to perfect with pet care; I wasn’t entirely sure if I was being unreasonable or not.

Thank you =)